Humanity Over Politics: Assam and Nagaland Flood Crisis
In the wake of the devastating Assam and Nagaland Flood, writer Banjit Sarmah urges society to rise above political divisions. He emphasizes that during such tragic disasters, unity, swift relief, and shared humanity must take precedence over political rivalry.
In a healthy democracy, differences of opinion, political debates, criticism, and ideological disagreements are both natural and necessary. The ruling party and the opposition have distinct responsibilities. While the government formulates and implements policies, the opposition scrutinizes those decisions, questions shortcomings, and offers alternative perspectives. Likewise, leftists, socialists, nationalists, student organizations, civil society groups, intellectuals, and the media all contribute to public discourse from their respective ideological standpoints. Such diversity of thought is the hallmark of a vibrant democracy.
However, there are moments in history when political identities and ideological divisions become insignificant. There are times when humanity must take precedence over everything else. The devastating cloudburst in Nagaland and the catastrophic floods that have affected Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, and several other parts of Assam represent one such moment.
This disaster is far more than an environmental event—it is a profound human tragedy. Within a matter of hours, countless families lost everything they had spent a lifetime building. Homes were swept away, roads disappeared beneath floodwaters, communication networks collapsed, and entire villages were submerged. Thousands of people were forced to abandon their homes with little or no warning. Many are now living in temporary relief camps, uncertain about what tomorrow holds.
The human cost of this disaster is heartbreaking. Families have lost loved ones. Farmers have watched their standing crops vanish beneath muddy waters, destroying not only their harvest but also their primary source of income. Livestock, often the backbone of rural livelihoods, have perished in large numbers. Children have lost their books, school uniforms, and classrooms, disrupting their education. Young people have seen their certificates, documents, and years of hard work washed away. For many, the flood has erased not only possessions but also hope.
At such a time, political arguments should not dominate public conversation. This is not the moment to ask which political party deserves credit or blame. It is not the time for ideological battles between the ruling party, the opposition, leftists, socialists, or any other political group. The most important question today is simple: Who is standing beside the people who are suffering?
The government undoubtedly carries the primary responsibility for rescue operations, relief distribution, rehabilitation, and rebuilding damaged infrastructure. Swift action, transparency, and accountability are essential. But the responsibility does not belong to the government alone. Opposition parties also have a crucial role to play. Constructive criticism remains important, but during an unfolding humanitarian crisis, cooperation is even more valuable. Rather than engaging in endless political confrontations, all political parties should work together to ensure that relief reaches every affected family without delay.
Student organizations have historically played an important role in Assam during times of crisis. Their energy, dedication, and ability to mobilize volunteers can make a significant difference. Whether by participating in rescue operations, distributing food and essential supplies, organizing blood donation drives, helping children continue their education, or supporting medical teams, young people have the capacity to become the backbone of humanitarian efforts. Their contribution should not be defined by political affiliations but by compassion and service.
Civil society also has an indispensable role. Teachers, doctors, engineers, journalists, business owners, artists, religious institutions, voluntary organizations, and ordinary citizens all have something valuable to contribute. Not everyone can donate large sums of money, but every act of kindness matters. A packet of dry food, a blanket, clean drinking water, medicines, clothing, or simply offering shelter to someone in need can make a life-changing difference. Compassion does not require wealth; it requires willingness.
The media, too, bears a tremendous responsibility during disasters. Accurate and timely reporting can save lives by informing people about flood conditions, rescue efforts, and relief services. Responsible journalism highlights the needs of affected communities and ensures that their voices reach policymakers. At the same time, the spread of misinformation, sensationalism, or politically motivated narratives can deepen confusion and hinder rescue operations. Social media users must also exercise responsibility by verifying information before sharing it.
This tragedy also reminds us of a larger challenge confronting our region and the world. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and more severe. Climate change, environmental degradation, deforestation, and unplanned development have increased the vulnerability of many communities. The cloudburst in Nagaland and the floods that followed in Assam are stark reminders that disaster preparedness can no longer be treated as an afterthought. Scientific planning, stronger early-warning systems, better river management, resilient infrastructure, and environmental conservation must become national priorities.
History has repeatedly shown that the people of Assam possess extraordinary resilience. Time and again, communities have come together to overcome floods, earthquakes, and other natural calamities. Neighbours have rescued neighbours. Strangers have become volunteers. Young people have risked their lives to save others. This spirit of solidarity is one of Assam’s greatest strengths, and it deserves to be celebrated and strengthened.
In moments like these, our collective identity should not be shaped by political parties or ideological labels. Whether one belongs to the ruling party, the opposition, a leftist movement, a socialist organization, a student union, or any other group should become secondary. What should matter most is our shared humanity. Floodwaters do not distinguish between political beliefs, religions, castes, languages, or communities. Nature does not discriminate, and therefore our compassion should know no boundaries.
The true measure of any society is not how fiercely its members debate during peaceful times but how united they stand when faced with unimaginable suffering. Politics will always have its place in a democracy, and healthy criticism remains essential for good governance. But during a humanitarian crisis, humanity must take precedence over political rivalry.
When future generations look back at this tragedy, they are unlikely to remember who won political arguments on television or social media. Instead, they will remember who reached out to help the helpless, who stood beside grieving families, who rescued strangers from floodwaters, and who worked tirelessly to rebuild shattered lives. History remembers compassion far longer than it remembers conflict.
Today, Assam needs unity more than division, cooperation more than confrontation, and humanity more than politics. Let this disaster become not only a reminder of nature’s immense power but also a testament to the strength of human compassion. If every citizen, every political party, every student organization, every voluntary group, and every institution joins hands with a common purpose, recovery will be faster, hope will return sooner, and countless lives will be transformed.
In times of disaster, our greatest identity is not our ideology—it is our humanity.
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